First Nation joins businesses, cities in new economic development pact
It’s been talked about for years, and on Friday a new regional economic development body came to life.
Founding partners of the new organization — including most of the region’s municipalities, a number of private companies and the Songhees First Nation — signed the constitution document to establish the South Vancouver Island Economic Development Association.
“Up until today, it’s all been theoretical,” said businessman Dan Dagg. “The rubber hits the road today. The nice thing is we can now take the energy and effort put into creating the organization and start doing the work.”
The new organization intends to be accountable to the entire region and has set goals to increase the number of jobs in targeted sectors, increase median household income and draw federal and provincial project funding.
It will have an annual budget of about $650,000 based on a funding formula involving municipalities other than Sooke and Metchosin. The formula is a 50-50 split between $1 per person in the municipality plus a percentage of total tax collected. The organization is also targeting another $400,000 annually from the private sector and other groups in order to leverage matching provincial and federal funds for projects in the order of $1.5 million per year.
“Everyone is here for the same purpose from a regional perspective and if we collaborate we get that multiplier effect,” said Sage Berryman, chief operating officer at Ralmax, one of the private sector founding partners.
Berryman said an organization that pulls together all parts of the region, government agencies, forprofit bodies and academic institutions has been talked about for a long time. “It’s actually happening this time and that is materially different,” she said. “There is discomfort in it, but that’s OK, because you have to do that as you sort through these things. But this will change things.”
One of the big changes with this body is the inclusion of First Nations. Songhees is the first to sign on as an equal partner, and the association hopes more will follow.
“We are growing fast here so when we were approached we thought it was important we are seen as being part of the regional economy going forward,” said Songhees Chief Ron Sam. “Working together is better than working alone to try and get things done.”
Sam said in recent years relations between the Songhees and the surrounding municipalities have improved tenfold and they are now used to working together.
“Everyone working together for the good of everyone in the region we thought was important,” he said.
Sam said at this point it’s too early to say what the Songhees’ priorities will be, though he hinted there could be better use made of some of the nation’s land.
“The First Nations see this as an opportunity to improve their situation and to connect as equals with the broader economy,” said Dagg. “There are so many opportunities for them, they are asset rich, but need to join with the private sector and this organization may be an incubator for some of that.”
The municipalities who signed on appeared to be agreed on why being part of the new body made sense — it’s easier and more economical to work together.
“Acting collectively we are going to achieve things that we couldn’t possibly dream of individually,” said Sidney Mayor Steve Price. “From Sidney’s point of view, we are concerned about empty store fronts, but if the business climate in the whole region is rising then of course those stores will fill up.”
Saanich Coun. Fred Haynes noted the region is an amalgamated economy. “And the name of the game is collaborative resources around economic development,” he said, noting that will help Greater Victoria compete with metropolitan areas all over North America. “We have the most amazing location [and] these economic development activities will allow us to present this as one of the best places to be.
“It’s a collaborative marketing piece that will raise our game around the world.”
The board is made up of Jayne Bradbury, Fort Properties; tech veteran Bill Bergen; Christina Clarke, Songhees Nation; Jill Doucette, Synergy Enterprises; Royal Roads University’s Pedro Márquez; business consultant Craig Norris; Tourism Victoria CEO Paul Nursey; tech veteran Bob Skene; and McDonald’s restaurants owner Ken Taylor.